A former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was convicted for lying to federal investigators about an alleged extortion plot involving a self-proclaimed cryptocurrency mogul who, according to prosecutors, used off-duty law enforcement officials as part of his private security operation.
According to federal authorities, the case comes from an incident in August 2021 at Adam Iza’s Bel Air estate, who lived in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach and referred to himself as “The Godfather.”
According to court filings, Iza recruited off-duty cops through Saavedra & Associates, a private security firm founded by then-Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Chase Saavedra, 43, of Chino.
Security was provided by Scott Allen Simpkins, 34, of Brea, and fellow deputy Christopher Michael Cadman, 34, of Fullerton.
Following a gathering at the home, a party planner known only as “R.C.” was removed from the event due to what prosecutors described as strange behavior.
The next day, prosecutors claimed Simpkins and Cadman led the party planner into Iza’s office and closed the door behind them.
Inside, Iza allegedly placed four or five live 9mm rounds on his desk, picked up the ammo while threatening the victim, and asked that $25,000 be transferred from the victim’s account to one controlled by Iza.
According to prosecutors, after the transfer was accomplished, Simpkins and Cadman led the victim out of the mansion.
According to authorities, Iza later retained Saavedra & Associates as his long-term private security contractor, resulting in considerable payments to the company and bonuses for deputies who assisted in securing the contract.
The event ultimately became part of a larger federal investigation of Iza and a number of former Los Angeles County sheriff’s officers.
According to prosecutors, following Iza’s arrest in September 2024, FBI agents interviewed Simpkins and cautioned him that lying during the interview may result in criminal charges. According to investigators, Simpkins allegedly claimed that he never saw ammunition in Iza’s office and did not observe the $25,000 transfer.
Federal prosecutors said that the misleading remarks hampered the criminal investigation into Iza.
Iza has been in federal prison since September 2024. In January 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion. On June 1, he also pled guilty in federal court in Connecticut to conspiracy to obstruct commerce by robbery in connection with the attempted Bitcoin robbery and kidnapping of a victim in Danbury in August 2024. He is awaiting sentencing.
Both Saavedra and Cadman have pled guilty to federal crimes and are awaiting sentencing. Another former assistant, Michael David Coberg, 44, of Eastvale, is serving a 63-month federal prison sentence for assisting Iza in extorting a rival and orchestrating the false arrest of another enemy in Paramount in 2021.
Simpkins received an 18-month federal prison sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to one count of obstruction of justice in March. According to a news statement from the Department of Justice, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson also assessed a $10,000 punishment.
Simpkins admitted in his plea agreement that he willfully lied to FBI agents and federal prosecutors throughout the inquiry, and that his false statements had the natural and probable result of interfering with Iza’s criminal case.
He resigned from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Bureau after admitting to the offense.
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